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Food Safety University

Food Safety University

By Michele Pfannenstiel DVM

Welcome to Food Safety University, the only place on the Internet that talks about how to use food safety to help your food manufacturing business thrive.
We talk about plant management, money and profit, employees and management. We cover HACCP and Preventive Controls.
Food Safety University is the one podcast to listen to each week to get your dose of the food safety mindset you need!
Come check out everything we've got at www.dirigofoodsafety.com
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Episode 81 - Interview with Cristina Roman

Food Safety UniversityApr 23, 2020

00:00
33:57
So long and thanks for all the fish

So long and thanks for all the fish

That's all folks!

The podcast is being archived as we move on to new things in Food Safety University.

All episodes will be archived within Food Safety University.

It's been a great 4 year run of talking food safety, entrepreneurship and coaching.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you've done. For the hours you spent listening and the questions you've asked.

Mar 17, 202208:02
Your Exit Action Plan: A Webinar with Kate Vriner of Subelt Business Advisors
Mar 10, 202201:02:19
Interview with Michael Klemmer of Aerial Resupply Coffee
Mar 03, 202221:16
The Keys to Innovation: Wrapping it All Together

The Keys to Innovation: Wrapping it All Together

We've learned about resourcing, finding helpful help and letting time pass to gain experience.


How do we wrap this all together to make sure innovation actually happens?

Feb 24, 202220:56
The Keys to Innovation: Time

The Keys to Innovation: Time

We all want results now. We want innovation now. We want our dreams to come true now. That's such a human thing to want.

But here is the thing, time is a construct and we are not in charge of time passing. We are only in charge of our experience as time passes. 

Your innovation strategy must incorporate time, because it will pass, but, you can't force time, rush it or slow it. Your innovation will come when you take your internal resourcing, your external supports and add it to time.

Feb 17, 202218:58
The Keys to Innovation: Support

The Keys to Innovation: Support

Finding support so that you can innovate is an inside job. Last week we discussed resourcing yourself. Building your self trust is the first step...but it is also a means to an end. You must be in the capacity to receive in order to innovate. What does that even mean? It means that if you want support...you have to be open to accepting it.

When other people step in to help because you've ASKED for what you need...you are given the opportunity be someone who can receive helpful help. The capacity to get the help you need is a learned and learnable skill and you are only going to figure it out by trying and FAILING at it. We learn by doing my friends.

The steps to being able to be supported are

  1. Learn about how you think others should be acting
  2. Recognize co-dependencies
  3. Write out job descriptions
  4. Decide what platforms, partnerships and an institutional work are right for you

Every new FSU client this quarter is going to get a free plant review bonus. I will look over your drawings, send feedback and even get on the phone/Zoom with your people to make sure your building is right. Do not miss out on this opportunity because I am only selling 38 more slots in FSU this year AND I am only offering this bonus in Q1 2022. https://dirigofoodsafety.krtra.com/t/9GmTyXdf3JlF

Feb 10, 202223:20
The Keys to Innovation: Resourcing
Feb 04, 202221:41
The Keys to Innovation: Setting the Stage in Food Manufacturing
Jan 27, 202218:05
We Never Run Out of Time: Building for your Future
Jan 20, 202216:41
Interview with Ben Buchanan of Unified Fields
Jan 13, 202235:07
We Never Run Out of Time: Running Your Business Today

We Never Run Out of Time: Running Your Business Today

As we have covered in this course on time...time is a construct. But you've got to still get stuff done today. What does that look like?

Look, you can complain you don't have enough time...or you can do something about it.

Do something about it. You'll feel better.

Ready to get to work? https://www.foodsafetyuniversity.com and book a call.

Jan 06, 202211:28
We Never Run Out of Time: Your Past and Your Relationship with Time

We Never Run Out of Time: Your Past and Your Relationship with Time

Time is a cultural concept. We learn time from our families and our cultures. In today's episode we focus on what those stories are.

This week, I invite you to look closely at what you tell yourself about time. What are the stories? What are the facts? Is what you are telling yourself about time helpful?

Dec 30, 202113:52
We Never Run Out of Time: Time Management isn't What You Think It Is

We Never Run Out of Time: Time Management isn't What You Think It Is

Welcome to the podcast series on time and time management


Today, we are going to discuss what time management is and what it isn't.

Time is an asset in your business you create with...assets in your business. And what are those assets?

1. Your brain

2. The brains of the people around you

3. The trust and credibility you've built up over time

4. Your products

5. Your processes

6. Your capital/facilities/equipment


You can create time with all those assets. And with that? You can grow your business.

Dec 23, 202117:46
Money Mindset with Erin Pirro #2
Dec 16, 202130:47
Interview with Erin Pirro part 1- Money mindset
Dec 09, 202126:36
Interview with Karen Talley of Hatch Richmond
Dec 02, 202125:54
Trauma and toxic cultures- Accountability as a Solution

Trauma and toxic cultures- Accountability as a Solution

We've spent a lot of time talking about trauma and toxic culture on this series. Last week we covered Emotional Intelligence as a solution, and this week we are talking about accountability.

It is very hard to have a toxic culture if you also have a culture of accountability. What does accountability look like? Well, the good news is that in a company that runs a great food safety plan...accountability is an easy place for you to step into.

Accountability is both top down and bottom up. Solving a toxic culture comes with individual and group commitment to solving it. Commitment...depends in some fashion on accountability. Accountability to self and accountability to teammates. 

Nov 24, 202122:51
Trauma and toxic cultures- Emotional Intelligence as a Solution

Trauma and toxic cultures- Emotional Intelligence as a Solution

This week's episode is about emotional intelligence as a solution to toxic workplace cultures and trauma. We've now spent several episodes discussing the problem of trauma and toxic workplace cultures. I think you get it! Now, what can people do about it?

We can learn about what happens with our emotions and then make choices about how we act. There are things you can learn about your brain and your body so that you feel better if you are traumatize and/or are in a toxic culture.

1. Learn about story v fact and "I feel" statements

2. Understand the 3 places healing comes from

3. Learn the path to allow you to reframe and reintegrate

Nov 18, 202123:48
Trauma and toxic cultures- Common toxic patterns at work

Trauma and toxic cultures- Common toxic patterns at work

What are the common toxic patterns we see at work?

  1. Communication that is confusing or nonexistent or charged with emotion
  2. Policies and procedures are announced and intermittently reinforced
  3. Toxic leadership...people who just are all about themselves and their power at any layer of the organization
  4. Negativity/gossip/snark
  5. You have physical symptoms of your work environment...when you are there AND when you are not

In today's episode, we are going to dive into these patterns so you can recognize them and make the decision that is right for you.

Nov 11, 202119:00
Trauma and Toxic Workplace Culture: How we got here
Nov 04, 202126:22
Trauma and Toxic Workplace Culture: What is Trauma
Oct 28, 202129:04
Trauma and Toxic Workplace Culture: Series intro
Oct 21, 202125:00
Interview with Erin Austin

Interview with Erin Austin

I am constantly on the look out for coaches and consultants who can help my customers. And YOU are my customer.

Your business will have an endpoint. And, can we please agree that it is NOT going to be you dropping dead on the factory floor?

To make sure your business is worth something to someone at some point...you need to start NOW to figure out how to build that value.

The value is in...

your process

your recipes

your equipment

But not all value is created equal. Tune in and hear the awesome conversation about how to position your business so you can sell it.

Oct 14, 202126:39
Getting 1% better at your Product
Oct 07, 202122:43
Getting 1% Better at Your Processes
Sep 30, 202118:38
Getting 1% better at your People
Sep 23, 202124:03
Getting 1% better at HACCP
Sep 16, 202120:47
Introduction to getting 1% better...AKA, it's ok to go a little easier on yourself

Introduction to getting 1% better...AKA, it's ok to go a little easier on yourself

Welcome to the next series! Over the next several weeks I am going to be covering getting 1% better. What do I mean? An how does 1% better look in an every day life? 

Go get James Clear's Atomic Habits if you want a really great book that will also guide you along.

Sep 09, 202117:19
Enterprise Resource Planning Part 2

Enterprise Resource Planning Part 2

Welcome back to the podcast. This week's episode is a continuation of my conversation with Charlie Tidd on Enterprise Resource Planning. Last week we covered the decision making of whether an ERP is even right for you. This week, we are covering the nitty gritty. What does implementation planning look like? How about implementation itself? Then of course...how the heck do you know if the ERP is even working?

Sep 02, 202159:09
Enterprise Resource Planning Part 1
Aug 26, 202134:36
Money Mindset for Food Business CEOs: Doing the money thing: Paying for People

Money Mindset for Food Business CEOs: Doing the money thing: Paying for People

People are people and why should it be? 

That is a line from one of my favorite Depeche Mode songs (of the same name)

People aren't going to do what we want all the time, they are going to do things that are great some of the time. 

And we, as employers, pay for all of it.

How do you WANT to think about all that?

Let's dive into all of that as we look at doing the money thing when it comes to employees.

Aug 20, 202121:49
Money Mindset for Food Business CEOs: Doing the money thing: Paying for Stuff

Money Mindset for Food Business CEOs: Doing the money thing: Paying for Stuff

There are a lot of ways to pay for stuff. You have figured a LOT of them out. But do you know ALL.THE.WAYS. you are paying for stuff? Probably not.

I get it, both the money and the stuff can be overwhelming, so let's get on that!

Then...go over to Food Safety University and let's get started.

Aug 12, 202121:21
Money Mindset for Food Business CEOs: Doing the money thing: Paying for Money
Aug 05, 202120:46
Money Mindset for Food Business CEOs: The mindset for money management in food manufacturing

Money Mindset for Food Business CEOs: The mindset for money management in food manufacturing

Money management can not come with a messed up mindset. At least not with any success. So, if the first thing that happens to you when you think about money is you shut down or your mind races...then this is the episode for you.

Jul 29, 202122:03
Money Mindset for Food Business CEOs: What problem are you solving?
Jul 22, 202120:19
Money Mindset for Food Business CEOs: Putting together your money team
Jul 16, 202121:51
Introduction to Money Mindset for Food Business CEOs series
Jul 08, 202121:41
Food Safety University Episode 46- Interview with Vikki Louise of Timehackers
Jul 01, 202127:48
Episode 45- The New Plant Manager - A 'What If' FAQ For Managers

Episode 45- The New Plant Manager - A 'What If' FAQ For Managers

This episode is all about that ONE famous question that can throw our train of thought directly off the track:

'What if...?'

Today, we'll discuss some common questions that new plant managers ask themselves and, in turn, lose time, happiness and productivity.

Join us!

Jun 29, 202124:31
FSU Episode 44- Food Manufacturing Leadership Series Final Episode! Supply chain

FSU Episode 44- Food Manufacturing Leadership Series Final Episode! Supply chain

What an interesting set of podcasts we've had. I now have people emailing me and saying "Dr. P! I did my who before how question and OMG everything worked"

So.much.fun.

On this, the last episode of the series, we are talking supply chain. Because someone has to. Folks, the supply chain in local foods is, as my NCOIC used to say "tore up from the floor up".

What results are you creating with your supply chain? Is it the one you want? Were you able to supply what you needed this past year? Take a minute and ask yourself why. 

Because your success with your supply chain comes down to WHO you are being, every time (pssst...this is true of EVERY relationship).

Get square with all that this episode.

Jun 25, 202121:57
FSU Episode 42- Food Manufacturers Leadership Series- Equipment

FSU Episode 42- Food Manufacturers Leadership Series- Equipment

Just picture it...you have a gleaming new piece of equipment arriving tomorrow. You've got everything planned and the installation is going to work flawlessly. The tech is already in town, training your employees, and the maintenance crew is all set for the new equipment to arrive and be integrated into the production space.


And now your reality...OMG I NEED [Insert Equipment name here] or else everything is going to fall apart.


If the first scenario is your reality...skip to the end of the episode, because I talk about how to get rid of your equipment graveyard

If the second is more on par with your life, this episode is going to knock your socks off.

Jun 18, 202124:43
Episode 41 - The New Plant Manager - 360 degree Accountability

Episode 41 - The New Plant Manager - 360 degree Accountability

Accountability certainly has an impact on productivity and your bottom line. But what if I told you that productivity was the least important result of implementing personal responsibility in your workplace?

Listen in for my easy-to-follow plan for managing by leveraging your team's strengths, and building a culture of 360 degree accountability - from the top of the bottom, and from the bottom up. 

Jun 15, 202127:24
FSU Episode 40 Food Manufacturing Leadership Series- Corrective Actions

FSU Episode 40 Food Manufacturing Leadership Series- Corrective Actions

Do you avoid writing your corrective actions?

I have so many clients who do. And they avoid it because of one thing.

This episode will cover that one thing in depth and show you a way to deal with it.

This episode will change the trajectory of your facility and your life

Jun 11, 202120:51
FSU Episode 39 - The New Plant Manager - The Meeting Schedule

FSU Episode 39 - The New Plant Manager - The Meeting Schedule

Meetings can often feel like unfocused downtime that takes us away from production.

What if your meetings could be short, sweet, focused and to the point?

They can be, and in today's episode, we'll discuss the WHO and the HOW. First it's important to discuss who we want to be while leading these meetings. 

As it turns out, regularly scheduled meetings have just as much to do with building relationships as they do reviewing metrics and giving directions.

Jun 08, 202131:27
FSU Episode 38 - Food Manufacturing Leadership series - New Markets...who before how
Jun 04, 202122:42
Episode 37 - The New Plant Manager pt 8, The Training Program

Episode 37 - The New Plant Manager pt 8, The Training Program

Have you ever found yourself thinking, 'What if we spend all this time and money training our employees, and they leave for another company?'

If so, I would answer you with 'Well, what if we DON'T train them, and they stay?'

A robust training program is highly beneficial to your bottom line, but more importantly, is a huge foundational block for building a company culture of retention, engagement, collaboration and innovation.



May 31, 202121:16
Episode 36 - Food Manufacturing Leadership series- Expansion...who before how

Episode 36 - Food Manufacturing Leadership series- Expansion...who before how

What if your expansion project...what is next on the horizon for you in terms of floors, walls and ceilings, your new equipment, your new footprint ...came from your highest and best self?

What if the question isn't...how am I going to find the money? But rather...who am I going to be?

That my friend...is magic.

May 28, 202122:18
FSU Episode 35 - The New Plant Manager series Part 7 - The Safety Audit

FSU Episode 35 - The New Plant Manager series Part 7 - The Safety Audit

Every worker wants to feel safe enough to do their job correctly and to the best of their ability. It's a management team's responsibility to be committed to providing that. Where does your business stand on safety?

Join us this week to discuss the ins and outs of auditing your business' safety plan. We discuss Worker's Comp, forming a team, training and more!

May 24, 202128:59
FSU Episode- 34 Interview with Matt McGhee

FSU Episode- 34 Interview with Matt McGhee

Are you leading or are you managing?

There is a really big difference.

Being a leader is taking a step back, not coming in on top of someone. Join me as I talk with Matt McGhee a Plant Leader in the oil/gas industry. He has studied and practiced leadership for his whole career. Our fascinating conversation will change the way you see your plant.

May 21, 202135:17
FSU Episode 33- Food Manufacturing Leadership series- Employees...who before how
May 14, 202125:52